War-torn Iraq makes medal breakthrough
Sunday, 21 November 2010
GUANGZHOU, Nov 20 (AFP): Haeider Hamarasheid won war-torn Iraq's first medal of the 2010 Asian Games Friday, picking up a rowing bronze, and said he hoped it would set an example for young people in his homeland.
Hamarasheid finshed the men's single sculls in 7:10.10, some five seconds behind gold medalist Bajran Takhar of India with Taiwan's Wang Ming-hui second.
"I'm so happy and excited because this is the first medal for Iraq at the Asian Games," he said. "This achievement will encourage young people in Iraq.
"We have trained in Baghdad and the environment was quite good without much security concern. We have been working hard."
Adel Ali, secretary general of the Iraq National Olympic Committee, said the medal breakthrough would encourage the rest of the team, adding that more money was now being directed towards sport in the country.
Hamarasheid finshed the men's single sculls in 7:10.10, some five seconds behind gold medalist Bajran Takhar of India with Taiwan's Wang Ming-hui second.
"I'm so happy and excited because this is the first medal for Iraq at the Asian Games," he said. "This achievement will encourage young people in Iraq.
"We have trained in Baghdad and the environment was quite good without much security concern. We have been working hard."
Adel Ali, secretary general of the Iraq National Olympic Committee, said the medal breakthrough would encourage the rest of the team, adding that more money was now being directed towards sport in the country.